Digital Citizenship

Digital Citizenship

Core Components:

Personal Safety on the Internet. Students must understand that people are not always who they say they are. They should never give out personal information without an adult’s permission, especially if it conveys where they can be found at a particular time. They should understand that predators are always present on the Internet. Students should recognize the various forms of cyberbullying and know what steps to take if confronted with that behavior.

Information on the Internet. Students and their families should discuss how to identify acceptable sites to visit and what to do if an inappropriate site is accessed. Students should be informed about various Web advertising techniques and realize that not all sites provide truthful information.

Activities on the Internet. Likewise, students and their families should discuss acceptable social networking and communication methods and the appropriate steps to take when encountering a problem. Students should know the potential dangers of e- mailing, gaming, downloading files, and peer-to-peer computing (e.g., viruses, legal issues, harassment, sexual predators, identity theft).

Online Resources

The Minnesota Department of Education provided these sites as resources that you can use with your child to learn and discuss digital citizenship and online safety topics.

WiredSafety and WiredKids.org provides help, information and education to Internet and mobile device users of all ages handling cases of cyber abuse ranging from identity theft, online fraud and cyber stalking, to hacking and malicious code attacks. WiredSafety.org is a US charity operating through its volunteers worldwide.